Conservation & research

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, both are conservation, research and education charities dedicated to the protection of animals, plants and their environments, locally and internationally.

Wildlife conservation is a concern across the globe. Species and their habitats face a number of threats such as pollution, competition from introduced species, the illegal wildlife trade, habitat destruction and climate change, many of which are related to over-exploitation of natural resources by people. The Zoo and Trust support many conservation projects around the world.

In addition staff at the Zoo play important roles in co-ordinated breeding programmes for endangered species conservation in line with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) strategy. As part of this, Paignton Zoo collaborates with other zoos across the world, exchanging animals to prevent inbreeding and ensure that healthy genetic diversity is maintained.

Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust

In addition Paignton Zoo, Newquay Zoo and Living Coasts are also part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, together with Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve and two local nature reserves in Paignton. The Field Conservation & Research department co-ordinates the involvement of all the zoos in wildlife conservation projects both in the UK and overseas, as well as managing scientific research projects within the zoos and reserves on topics such as animal behaviour, nutrition, enrichment and ecology.